The Holidays Are Here

Merry Christmas everyone!

December 25th today and 2009 just around the corner- I feel I really am in a time warp! I'm just winding down now, having some alone time in my apartment. This week has been a whirlwind of excitement with the holidays, despite the fact that is doesn't truly feel like Christmas time. Naturally it's hard to get into the Christmas spirit when there's no snow and you're so far from home- and Korea doesn't flash the holidays in your face everywhere you look. Only the big department stores bother with decorations, and even at school the kids aren't really that excited about it. For the most part, Christmas in Korea means going to church in the morning, a day off work (although most stores were open today), and time to spend with your other half... yes I'm told that it's often more of a holiday for couples here- although I don't know why!

I wanted to do Christmasy activities with my kids at school whether they were very excited or not, so I decided to make Christmas lists to Santa with my grade 4s. If you're wondering, what does a typical class of grade 4 students in Korea want for Christmas?, I'm here to give you some of the highlights:
many money; a gun; a cell phone; a laptop; a gold crown; a country; the Earth; a house; and a diamond...
I'm sorry to say that the majority wanted these things. What happened to the good ol' days?
Well at least a handful of the kids wanted things you'd expect to see on a 10 year olds wish list: checkers; a bike; a baby brother; a teddy bear; and lego. That's more my speed.

They are very creative though- my two favourties were: a boyfriend (you can set that up, can't ya Santa?); and a gold scalpel. Yes- after walking around the class and helping kids spell things like b-i-k-e or m-o-n-e-y I was asked, "Teacher, how do you spell scalpel?" Scalpel? Really? Scalpel, like a knife? "Yes teacher, I want to be a nerosurgeon." A Neurosurgeon? Wow, that's ambition!! Well, if this kid can ask, in English, for a gold scalpel at 10, then I'm more than sure he'll do great things in this life. Christmas is about reaching for your dreams right? ;)


It's been a great month leading up to Christmas though! Life has settled nicely into some kind of routine- so there's less newness to report ;) Been doing some of the usual- norebong, hiking, dinners out, shopping...
I also went to a UNESCO multicultural dinner in Gwanju, a teachers meeting in Mokpo, and a Christmas party in Yeosu. Most of the Christmas festivities have been happening here in Suncheon though- I've gone to more than one Christmas movie night, as well as a baking get-together at Ali's- since she's the only one with an oven.

Christmas Eve was a big highlight. Lisa is our self-appointed Christmas lady- and has done an amazing job stuffing- I mean, spreading the holiday cheer ;) Four of us stayed at her place over night, and we did stocking stuffers for each other so we'd have something to open on Christmas morning. A little sleepover on the floor next to the tree, hot chocolate and a little bit of Home Alone sounds about as festive as you can get right? Nope- wrong! We also went caroling!

Now I don't want those of you at home to cringe at the thought of me singing at your door on Christmas- yes I've been told since I can remember that I'm tone deaf. Thanks for that. Well I'm breaking down the barriers here, ok? Korea means that you embrace singing- and what better time than Christmas. So with our head elf Lisa, and Jen, Ali and I in tow with a little bit of Bailey's Irish cream to help us out- we went around to our friends' apartments and sang Christmas carols on Christmas eve :) It was pretty hilarious, and very entertaining for all those involved- needless to say we had a great time.

Add to that a Christmas day of stockings, Christmas brunch at Dean and Mandy's, and a potluck with 50 people at the foreigner bar... yep, I've had my fill of holiday cheer for the year! I'm ready to stay in with a movie, my Toblerone bar and some tea.

I want to wish you a Merry Christmas and Happy holidays from South Korea everyone! Cheers to a New Year full of many blessings and some more crazy adventures :)

Happy 1 month anniversary

It's happened- my very first milestone! I've officially been in Korea for a whole month. They say time flies when you're having fun- but these weeks have gone by insanely fast. I guess that's what happens when you're out doing something most every night and every weekend- no time for boredom.

Well this week, I made it a priority to do almost nothing :) Time to spend some quality time with me, myself and I. It wasn't all uneventful though. My time at school Tuesday and Wednesday was more than hectic. The provincial board of education decided on Friday that they would have mandatory testing on MONDAY for all elementary school grades. Why wouldn't they decide something like that completely last minute? To make things worse, when they say testing in Korea, they mean serious testing. You'd think you couldn't make little kids sit still for an entire day to write a test covering all subjects, giving them only a weekend to study. But oh yes they can!! That meant I had a nice lazy Monday with no classes to teach- but I made up for it the next 2 days, as I had to make up for missed time, covering 6 classes each day, plus English club. The kids were pretty bummed too- still stewing about it on Wednesday, saying they did bad on the test when all I asked them was, "how are you". Poor things!

I also got peer-pressured into getting some decorations this week, so I'm finally getting half into the Christmas spirit. I've got a few strings of garland up around the ceiling, some lights, a reindeer welcome sign on the door, and a tiny tiny tree sitting on the television. I also put up some more pictures around the apartment, and bought a shelf, so it's looking more and more homey all the time :)

I really am missing the snow though- I didn't think I would but it's just not the same without it! We had some snow on Friday, but it doesn't stay on the ground. It was cute to see the kids get so excited though, they all bolted outside in between class to run around as it was coming down really fast. A few kids came to show me the little snowballs they made- "Teacher, snow!" I don't know how long they lasted, but they carried them up to class with them anyways :) haha!

My weekend was topped off with a nice afternoon of nothing, some singing at the norebong, and another hike up Pungwa mountain. Holy moly, hard to believe we're a week into December!

This week's Konglish translation- On the storefront of a fruit smoothie store:
"If you are lack of the vitamin with smoking, kiwi will help to keep the vitamin"